Mechanism for cutting a pleated strip of metal ribbon



April 20, 1965 G. F. BAIRD 3,178,980

MECHANISM FOR CUTTING A PLEATED STRIP OF METAL RIBBON Filed Aug. 8. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l .35 a5 4 a /6 a/ WILL... 8

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INVENTOR GORDON F. bAIRD ATTORNEY April 20, 1965 G. F. BAIRD 3,178,930

MECHANISM FOR CtITTING A PLEATED STRIP OF METAL RIBBON Filed Aug. 8/1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV OR 7" i7 Goaoou F NRD A R EY April 20, 1965 G. F. BAIRD 3,173,980

MECHANISM FOR CUTTING A PLEATED STRIP OF METAL RIBBON Filed Aug. 8. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I "w. I L 62v].

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ATTORNEY G. F. BAIRD MECHANISM FOR CUTTING A PLEATED STRIP OF METAL/RIBBON Filed Aug. 8. 1961 1 4 sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR GORDON PI E Auzo United States Patent 0 York Filed Aug. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 130,147 8 Claims. (Cl. 83-236) This invention relates to mechanism for cutting a previously transversely folded or pleated strip of thin sheet metal into predetermined lengths, a number of cut lengths being adapted to be assembled to form a heat exchange core. More particularly, the invention is directed to a mechanism which counts the folds or pleats preparatory to cutting in order that each length, when cut, will have the same number of folds and thus enable their accurate fitting and assembly. Specifically, the invention is capable of receiving and cutting a folded or pleated strip of the nature produced by a mechanism disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. 75,032, filed November 30, 1960, now Patent No. 3,139,920.

The matter of accurately cutting a formed strip of this nature presents a considerable problem. In the first place, the strip is formed into a continuing series of transverse folds or pleats and, as formed, must be cut so that the ends of each section are alike for assembly purposes. Secondly, if the mechanism is to function in a continuing operation, each cut must be made so quickly that no lag is evident and any compression of the folds is of no consequence.

The present invention, through mechanism coordinated with the above mentioned strip folding or pleating device, causes a continually moving processed strip to be fed to the roll or gear having a prescribed number of teeth extending axially thereof. With each revolution of this roll, a given number of folds or pleats have been counted and, through further mechanism, the strip is cut into identical lengths. Since the teeth on the roll are equispaced with the folds or pleats of the strip, it is apparent that one complete revolution of the roll will measure a predetermined number of pleats. By changing the roll to one of a different diameter and/or number of teeth, the mechanism may be made to continuously count and cut identical strips of any desired length.

Additionally, the device is so designed that each strip is cut at the same area of a fold or pleat, thus eliminating any need to fold, bend or otherwise even the strip ends when a number of such strips are assembled to form a heat exchange core.

Other advantages and innovations than those generally set out above will be more fully appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention and includes a portion of the conveyer by which a continuously moving pleated strip enters and passes through the cutoff mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, being taken substantially as suggested by the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view, taken substantially as suggested by the line 33 of FIG. 1 and shows the cut-off tool and other operative parts in position of rest;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and shows the cutoff tool and other operative parts upon completion of a cut;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an indexing disk as held in position for a cut off operation, being 3,1?8386 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 taken substantially as suggested by the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken as suggested by the line 66 of FIG. 4 and shows the relationship of the strip feeding roll with the cut-off tool during a cutting operation;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken as suggested by the line '7-7 of FIG. 6 and details the cut-off mounting structure;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of a part of the strip drive and control for operation of the cut-off tool; and

FIG. 9 is an end view, partly in section, of the spring loaded overrunning drive by which the cut-off tool is made to operate.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 is employed to generally designate a table-like surface which, for convenience, may be a continuation of the conveyer surface 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of applicants above referred to application. Extending in the direction of the length of the surface 10, and mounted thereon, are ribbon guides 11 which are secured in any suitable manner to the table surface 10 by studs 12 which project through suitable slots 13 in a supporting flange of each guide and enable lateral guide adjustment to accommodate ribbons of different Width. The transversely pleated ribbon strip 14, shown in plan in FIG. 1, is intended to move over the table surface 10, its direction being determined by the guides 11. However, since the ribbon is of thin metal, there may be a tendency for it to buckle or bend upwardly away from the surface 10 and, in order to prevent this, there is a top guide strip 16 for this purpose. This strip, as shown in FIG. 1 is approximately midway between the guides 11 and is carried by a support 17 secured to the table surface 10. Thus, regardless of the rate of movement of the ribbon 14 over the table surface 10, said ribbon will be held flat against said surface and be so presented to the cut-off mechanism hereinafter described.

As may be clearly seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a Z-har 18 is mounted by its lowermost flange 19 on the table surface 1%, suitable studs being provided for this purpose. The edge of the upwardly and laterally offset flange 21 of the Z-bar 18 is provided with studs 22. These studs project through a slot 23 in a perpendicular plate 24 and enable lengthwise movement or adjustment of the plate 24 with respect to the permanently secured Z-bar 18. Carried by the plate 24 is a shaft 26 which, on one side of the plate, mounts a gear 27. On the other side of the plate the shaft 26 mounts a pair of cams 28 and 29. These cams may be spaced from the plate 24 by a member 31. Mounted on a suitable bracket 32, carried by the table surface 10, is a micro-switch box 33. A laterally extending housing 34 on the box supports a shaft 36 which carries a swingable arm 37. The free end 38 of this arm mounts a roller 35 which, in accordance with the structure of the micro-switch, is urged into contact with the circumferential surfaces of the earns 28 and 29.

Reference is now particularly had to FIG. 8 wherein the cams 28 and 29 are shown to have radially extending lugs 41. From the disclosure of this figure, it will be clearly evident that since the micro-switch requires the roller 39 to bear against the surface of the earns, the end 38 of the arm 37 will be moved or swung, thus rotating the arms supporting shaft 3i: and effecting actuation of the micro-switch. The cams 28 and 29 are relatively adjustable about their supporting shaft 26, and, consequently, the lugs 41 may be relatively adjusted to increase the time period that the micro-switch is effected one way or the other by relatively rotating the cams to the point shown in FIG. 8, or to a point even beyond this showing. In other words, if a minimum time of operation of the microswitch is determined by the length of the lugs 41, this time period may be increased if the lugs are relatively adjusted. The need for this slight change In time operation of the micro-switch is determined by the ma terial, type of folds, and speed with which the metal ribbon is presented to the cut-off mechanism. The advantage of this adjustable feature will be clearly apparent as description of the invention progresses.

A shaft 42 is supported above the table surface 1%) by means of like hearing blocks 43 and 44. Beyond the block 43, the shaft 42 mounts a spring loaded overrunning drive, generally designated at 46. This structure, common in other uses, is intended to provide a yieldable driving connection between a pulley 47 and the shaft 42. The pulley 47 carries a belt 48 which is synchronously driven with the drive that moves the ribbon 14. A gear 49, joined to or integral with pulley 47, meshes with gear 27, thereby driving the cams 28 and 2f. Referring particularly to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be noted that adjacent pulley 47 the shaft 42 mounts a disk 51 by way of integral collar 52. It is pointed out that pulley 4'7 is freely rotatable on shaft 42. by reason of the hearing 53. As may be seen in FIG. 8, pulley 47 carries a laterally directed pin 54 which overlies the disk 51. Also, in this figure, it will be noted that disk 51 has a radially outwardly extending lug 56 which is in the circular path of travel of the pin 54. Secured to the collar 52 is the inner end of a wrap-around type spring 57. The outer end of this spring is secured to a block 58 which is carried by the pulley mounted pin 54. To properly locate and maintain the spring 57 on the collar 52, a disk 59 is provided which, as may be seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, is located adjacent the outer side of bearing block 43. Between the blocks 43 and 44, shaft 42 mounts a ribbon feed roll 61. This roll is provided with a series of uniformly distributed radial teeth 62, the spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the pleats of the ribbon 14. Since the roll 61 is driven by means of and synchronized with the mechanism that originally produced the ribbon, it follows that roll 61 will merely be carrying out ribbon movement consistent with the ribbons original progression.

In FIG. 6, the circumferential teeth 62 are shown to be interrupted by an outwardly opening groove 63. The base of this groove connects with an opening 64. Beyond the bearing block 44, shaft 4-2 mounts a circular disk 66 which, as suggested in FIG. 5, is approximately the same diameter as roll 61 and includes a transverse V-shaped groove 67 located to coincide with the location of groove 63 in the roll 61.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 2 and wherein an indexing structure is shown. Block bearings 68, secured to a vertical plate 69, mount a rod 71. The upper end 72 of this rod projects through a suitable opening in the table surface and is wedge-shaped to engage the groove d7 of disk 66 when the rod is axially moved. A block 73 is permanently attached to this rod approximately midway of its length and between this block and the upper bearing block 68 is a spring 74 which normally urges the rod downwardly to clear the Wedge end 72 of the perimeter of disk 66. The lower end of rod 71 rests on either the upperor lower ledge 76 or 77 of a slide bar 78. This bar is mounted for endwise movement on a guide 79 carried by a shelf 81 through a mounting bar 32. As viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, one end of slide bar '78 is coupled, as at 33, to the movable member of a solenoid 84. This solenoid is conveniently suspended by arms or brackets suggested at 86. The other end of slide bar 78 is formed to terminate as a threaded end 37. Adjacent this end of the bar, a roller guide 88 is provided by which to constrain movement of the slide bar to the direction of its length.

Mounted on the shelf 31 is an angle bracket 89, the

upright portion 91 of which carries a shaft 92. Secured to this shaft is the end mount 93 for a swing arm 94. As shown in FIG. 7, mount 93 includes an integral lug 96 having semi-spherical opposite surfaces 97. The rod end 87 projects through a rather large opening 98 in this lug, the ends of which terminate in the surfaces 97. Suitable bearing disks 99 are slipped onto the end 87 and through appropriate adjustment of nuts 101 and 102, desired rocking movement of the arm 94 is obtained by reciprocation of slide bar 7 8. As may be seen in FIG. 6, the free end of arm 94 includes a bracket 193 which carries a shaft 104. At one side, the shaft mounts a pulley 106. On the other side of this bracket, shaft 194 mounts a circular saw 167. Referring again to mount 13 for the arm 94, it will be noted that this mount supports one end of a shaft 108. The other end of this shaft extends into and is a part of the rotor of a small motor 199 that is secured to the shelf 81 by a strap housing 111. Between the motor 109 and mount 93 is located a pulley 112. A belt 113 connects the drive pulley 112 with the saw pulley 1116. Since the motor 199 is on axial center with the pivotal end of arm M, it is evident that the saw 167 may be driven during movement of the arm into either of the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. To prevent excessive swinging of the arm 94, suitable blocks 114 are provided which act as stops for bracket 163. As hereinafter fully explained, solenoid 84 is electrically connected with the micro-switch 33 through cable 117. The motor 109, by means of any suitable switch, may be caused to operate the saw 107 throughout any period of rotation of pulley 47 by way of the suggested electrical line 116.

As above indicated, the present invention may be complemental to a strip folding or pleating machine and its sole purpose is to accept a continuous pleated strip, measure given lengths by counting folds and cut the strip into predetermined lengths with the cuts identical. To this end, a brief description of operation of the device is presented. In FIG. 1, the pleated ribbon strip 14 is fed the device along the surface 10 between guides 11, toward and beneath roll 61. It will be recalled that through the mechanism 46, roll 61 normally rotates in synchronism with whatever means is employed to move the strip onto and along the surface 10. In this case, belt 48 is joined to this means.

The roll 61, although interchangeable with one of dif* ferent diameter or a greater or lessernumber of teeth, of course engages the ribbon, feeding it along the surface 10. As previously noted, disk 66 rotates with roll 61, with grooves 63 and 67 synchronized. Thus, if these grooves are in their lowermost position, as suggested in FIG. 2, one complete revolution of roll 61 Will feed a predetermined length of ribbon along surface 10 before the grooves again reach their lower positions.

Briefly, attention is directed to FIG. 8 wherein it is shown that gear 49, rotating with pulley 47, rotates a companion gear 27, mounted on shaft 26, which also carries cams 28 and 29. Since gears 49 and 27 are of like diameter, it follows that these cams will make one complete revolution with each revolution of roll 61 and disk 66. Also, it is evident that with the cam lugs 41 in position of contact with roller 39, arm 37 has been raised and the micro-switch in box 33 actuated to close a circuit. This circuit, as suggested by the cable 117, enables the micro-switch to actuate the solenoid 84 to move slide bar 78 into either of the positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With the foregoing in mind, it may beassumed that the ribbon 14 is as it appears in FIG. 1. As roll 61. makes one complete revolution, a given length of ribbon has been measured and passed along the surface 10. At this point, cams 28 and 29, through arm 37, effect the closmg of a circuit in the micro-switch and the immediate movement of solenoid 84 and slide bar 78. Movement of bar '78 from the position of FIG. 3 to FIG. 4 causes ledge 76 to raise the end 72 of rod 71 into the groove 67 of disk 66. This momentarily stops rotation: of the disk and, of course, roll 61. Since bar 78,. at its end remote from the solenoid, is joined to arm 94, this arm is moved and carries with it the saw 107. At the exact instant that the solenoid operates and swings the saw, groove 63 registers with a slot 118 in the surface 10, thus enabling, the saw to make a cutting pass through the ribbon 14.

As has been explained, the spring loaded overrunning drive 46 is the connecting means between driven pulley 47 and roll 61. Thus, when rotation of disk 66 and roll 61 is stopped, the spirals of spring 57 tighten during continued rotation of pulley 47. The period of time this spring tightens is determined by the length of time required for the cam lugs 41 to pass beneath and beyond the micro-switch roller 39. There is always a suflicient length of the folded or pleated ribbon between a ribbon forming device and the roll 61 to permit necessary momentary compression of the ribbon, without permanent distortion, while rotation of the roll is stopped. When this period has passed, the switch operates to reverse movement of the solenoid 84 which in turn withdraws the saw 1G7 from the slot 118 to complete the ribbon cutting pass. During the cutting operation, pulley 47 has had time only to rotate to an extent to substantially tighten spring 57. Thus, when the end 72 of rod 71 is withdrawn from its holding position with respect to disk 66 and roll 61, the increased tension of spring 57 causes it to rapidly rotate the disk and gear to catch up with the rotating pulley 47. Thus the spring is returned to its original driving connection. To clarify this phase of the operation, it is pointed out that the parts under discussion as they appear in FIG. 8 show that the extent to which the spring may unwind is limited to lug 56 catching up with and contracting pin 54, carried by pulley 47.

It will be appreciated that the operation of cutting the ribbon 14 is not only continuous but, by reason of the particular drive and indexing mechanism, each length of cut ribbon is identical and the points of saw cuts are the same. Thus no difficulty is encountered, when a given number of cut strips are assembled, in matching the folds or pleats.

Although applicant has shown and described only one detailed structure for continuously producing identical lengths of folded or pleated metal ribbon, it will be understood that the structure may be altered in the interest of speed of operation, to accommodate ribbon of different width and ribbon having a greater or lesser number or height of folds or pleats, and such variations to accomplish this are considered as being within the spirit and scope of the invention insofar as they are encompassed by the attached claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, a conveyor surface for said ribbon, a driven feeding roll having teeth interengageable with the pleats of said ribbon, a groove between a pair of adjacent teeth of said feed roll, mechanism for arresting rotation of said roll at a preselected groove indexing position on each complete revolution, a ribbon cutting tool, and means operable to actuate said tool through the groove in said feed roll during the period of time rotation of said roll is arrested.

2. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, conveyer means for said ribbon leading to said device, said device comprising a driven roll rotatable at synchronous speed with movement of said ribbon over said conveyor means, teeth on said roll interengageable with the pleats of said ribbon, said roll having a groove intervening a pair of said teeth, mechanism for momentarily arresting rotation of said roll on each complete revolution thereof when said groove reaches a predetermined position with respect to said conveyer means, a ribbon cutting tool, and means operable to actuate said tool to pass through said groove and cut said ribbon during the period rotation of said roll is arrested.

3. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into. equal predetermined lengths, said device having a platform for receiving said ribbon, a driven roll, uniformly spaced teeth on said roll extending axially thereof and interengageable with the pleats of said ribbon and serving to move said ribbon through said device, mechanism for momentarily arresting rotation of said roll on each complete revolution thereof, slot means in said roll and said platform cooper ating, during the period movement of said roll is arrested, to provide an unimpeded area for movement of a cutting tool into contact with said ribbon.

4. A device for cutting a continuous strip of trans versely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, said device having a platform for receiving said ribbon, a roll, uniformly distributed teeth extending sub stantially the full width of said roll and interengageable with the pleats of said ribbon, a groove between a pair of adjacent teeth on said roll, yieldable means connecting said roll with a driven pulley, other means operable to momentarily arrest rotation of said roll at a selected groove indexing position through said yieldable means, and a cutting tool operable to move through said groove to sever said ribbon during the period rotation of said roll is arrested.

5. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, a table-like surface for receiving said ribbon, a roll mounted for rotation at synchronous speed with movement of said ribbon over said surface, axially directed uniformly distributed teeth on said roll, said roll having an axial outwardly opening groove intervening a pair of said teeth, mechanism for momentarily arresting rotation of said roll on each complete revolution thereof when said groove reaches a predetermined position, yieldable means connecting said roll with a continuously driven pulley and enabling periodic momentary cessation of rotation of said roll, and a cutting tool operable to pass through said groove and cut said ribbon during the period rotation of said roll ceases.

6. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, a table-like surface for receiving and guiding said ribbon into said device, said device comprising a rotatable roll, axially extending uniformly distributed teeth on said roll interengageable with the pleats of said ribbon, said roll having an axial outwardly opening groove intervening a pair of said teeth, yieldable means connecting said roll with a continuously driven pulley, a cutting tool projectable into said groove to sever said ribbon, an indexing mechanism operable to arrest rotation of said roll on each complete revolution thereof through said yieldable means, said mechanism including structure for moving said tool into said groove to out said ribbon when said indexing mechanism has arrested rotation of said roll.

7. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, a table-like surface for receiving and guiding said ribbon into said device, said device comprising a rotatable roll, axially extending uniformly distributed teeth on said roll engaged with the pleats of said ribbon, said roll having an axial outwardly opening groove intervening a pair of said teeth, a spring loaded overrunning drive conmeeting said roll with a power driven pulley, a cutting tool movable to project into said groove to sever said ribbon, an indexing mechanism operable to arrest rotation of said roll to a predetermined extent of its rotation, means synchronized with said pulley operable to activate said mechanism, when said groove reaches a predeter minedposition with respect to said table-like surface, to momentarily arrest-rotation of said roll, said mechanism including structure for moving said tool into saidgroove to out said ribbon when rotation of said roll-has been arrested.

8. A device for cutting a continuous strip of transversely pleated metal ribbon into equal predetermined lengths, a conveyer surface for said ribbon, a driven feeding roll having teeth interengageable with the pleats of said ribbon, a groove between a pair of adjacent teeth on said roll, mechanism for arresting rotation of said roll at a preselected groove indexing position during each complete revolution, meansfor adjusting saidmechanisrn to vary the period of time it functions to arrest rotation .Of said roll, a ribbon cutting tool, and means operable to actuate said tool through said groove during the period rotation of said roll is arrested.

References (Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 654,964 7/00 Ferres 83-423 X 2,272,215 2/42 Lockett et al. 83-358 X 2,435,795 2/48 Quilan 83-595 2,736,378 2/56 Sigoda etal, 83-234 2,782,852 2/57 Molla 83-4-23 2,833,351 5/58 Paton et al. 83-925 2,981,135 4/61 Small 83-676X ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR CUTTING A CONTINUOUS STRIP OF TRANSVERSELY PLEATED METAL RIBBON INTO EQUAL PREDETERMINED LENGTHS, A CONVEYOR SURFACE FOR SAID RIBBON, A DRIVEN FEEDING ROLL HAVING TEETH INTERENGAGEABLE WITH THE PLEATS OF SAID RIBBON, A GROOVE BETWEEN A PAOR OF ADJACENT TEETH OF SAID FEED ROLL, MECHANISM FOR ARRESTING ROTATION OF SAID ROLL AT A PRESELECTED GROOVE INDEXING POSITION ON EACH COMPLETE REVOLUTION, A RIBBON CUTTING TOOL, AND MEANS OPERABLE TO ACTUATE SAID TOOL THROUGH THE GROOVE IN SAID FEED ROLL DURING THE PERIOD OF TIME ROTATION OF SAID ROLL IS ARRESTED. 